Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 kids and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday.

The hurt children were getting medical attention following the incident, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

« 8 individuals have actually since been detained for their various participations », police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement « revealed extensive sadness over the tragic incident ».

He provided his « heartfelt acknowledgements » to locals, state authorities and the « mourning families who have actually lost their beloved kids ».

He urged the « Oyo State federal government to take every needed measure to prevent such a disaster from repeating », the statement by the presidency added.

« Among the essential actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of security regulations, and regular security audits of occasion locations, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice given out by at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 females who had been waiting outside the office of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had actually shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

« Our hearts remain with the households and liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the left rest in peace, » Makinde said.

« We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.